Medical Imaging medical head Adrian Lamballe said there were three good machines but it would be preferable to have four sonographers to reduce waiting times.

With one senior student, two junior students "who very much need to be checked" and the part-time sonographer, Medical Imaging was "extremely thin".

"We are able to put two radiologists into ultrasound on a rotational basis, one of whom can do their own exams, but this is an inefficient use of radiologists' time."

Mr Lamballe said the department also had problems ensuring GP referrals were going to the right place. Mr Glubb said discussions had been held with Broadway Radiology, the other main provider of medical imaging in the region, and it was agreed that working together on ultrasounds would benefit patients.

A working group would be set up to discuss options but there could be some cost to whatever joint effort was established, he said.